I am the proud new owner of an ’81 Hunter 33. The boat sat all summer and contained much growth (read BIG barnacles on the prop and thick slime on the hull). To make a long story short, she overheated on the survey. We unclogged the line, replaced the impeller and all was well. My question is, how do you know when there is flow? The exhaust outlet is not only under the boat but also in the water. I have looked for a strainer with a flowmeter in it but can’t find one. What do you do to confirm that coolant is flowing prior to the alarm?
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Go with the flow
Ernie: I would assume that the water is comming out under water like it does on our H'31. We cannot see the flow on our boat either. When we are underway you can usually hear it flowing. I would assume that you may be able to stand on the ladder while you are in the harbor or underway and put you hand under the boat to feel the flow. You should also remove the mixing elbow from the back of the engine. This is attached to the head via an exhaust manifold. The exhaust hose is attached to the other end. This device quite often plugs up so water cannot flow properly. Before you remove this be sure to order an exhaust gasket of the engine when you put it back on. If you need to replace the elbow the cost is about $90. You can get them from Mack Boring. Good luck
Ernie: I would assume that the water is comming out under water like it does on our H'31. We cannot see the flow on our boat either. When we are underway you can usually hear it flowing. I would assume that you may be able to stand on the ladder while you are in the harbor or underway and put you hand under the boat to feel the flow. You should also remove the mixing elbow from the back of the engine. This is attached to the head via an exhaust manifold. The exhaust hose is attached to the other end. This device quite often plugs up so water cannot flow properly. Before you remove this be sure to order an exhaust gasket of the engine when you put it back on. If you need to replace the elbow the cost is about $90. You can get them from Mack Boring. Good luck
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Wayne Estabrooks
Distinctive sound
If water is flowing through the exhaust it will have a distinctive sloshing sound as the water is blown out the exhaust. Even though it is sort of under the transom you can definitely tell when water is flowing by the sound. If no water is flowing it will sound more like a John Deere tractor.
If water is flowing through the exhaust it will have a distinctive sloshing sound as the water is blown out the exhaust. Even though it is sort of under the transom you can definitely tell when water is flowing by the sound. If no water is flowing it will sound more like a John Deere tractor.
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Ralph Johnstone
Check the Sea Strainer
If your sea strainer has a clear plastic bowl, you can see small bits of matter spinning around inside the mesh strainer which is a good indication of cooling water flow to the heat exchanger. Regards, s/v Island Hunter
If your sea strainer has a clear plastic bowl, you can see small bits of matter spinning around inside the mesh strainer which is a good indication of cooling water flow to the heat exchanger. Regards, s/v Island Hunter
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Bryan
white smoke
If I have a water flow problem, the engine emits white smoke. Eventually the idiot light goes on if it overheats. These of course should not be the first sign you check for but if you see white smoke it usually means there is a problem with the water flow.
If I have a water flow problem, the engine emits white smoke. Eventually the idiot light goes on if it overheats. These of course should not be the first sign you check for but if you see white smoke it usually means there is a problem with the water flow.
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Don Alexander
A Stick, a Piece of String & a Shaving Mirror
I wrote a bit in our Owners Mag recently with the above title. It resulted from my 376 engine note sounding strange after a long period of slow cruising whilst compass adjusting. Back on the mooring I dismantled the water pump, the water injection bend and did lots of tests but all was okay. I swore never to be caught like that again so I leave it to you to figure what I did with the items. At a recent boat show I found a small mirror on the end of an extending auto radio aerial and now I stand on the patio and hang it over the stern and it is easy to see the water flow. Hunters ought to deliver every boat with one! Regards, Don
I wrote a bit in our Owners Mag recently with the above title. It resulted from my 376 engine note sounding strange after a long period of slow cruising whilst compass adjusting. Back on the mooring I dismantled the water pump, the water injection bend and did lots of tests but all was okay. I swore never to be caught like that again so I leave it to you to figure what I did with the items. At a recent boat show I found a small mirror on the end of an extending auto radio aerial and now I stand on the patio and hang it over the stern and it is easy to see the water flow. Hunters ought to deliver every boat with one! Regards, Don
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Ken Palmer
On my H33......
All I have to do is bend over the stern rail on the starboard side. The exhause is not under water, but just above the waterline. I look for the splash as the exhaust water hits the lake water, and can also hear the gurgling sound. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
All I have to do is bend over the stern rail on the starboard side. The exhause is not under water, but just above the waterline. I look for the splash as the exhaust water hits the lake water, and can also hear the gurgling sound. Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
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Tim
EXHAUST
Ernie: I have an 85 '31 which "had" the same problem, both with overheating and inability to see the exhaust as it exited under the stern counter. My solution (after a couple of years of frustration) was more extensive AND expensive, but worked for me. During a spring haulout, I removed the exhaust hose from the original (molded) underwater exhaust point and had the boatyard cut in a new exit on the starboard side about 2 feet above the waterline. They also glassed over the old hole under the stern counter. I installed a new fitting, and attached the old exhaust hose. Total cost (in 1990) was about $400...and I did a lot of the work). For me, it was worth it, especially since I was single-handing a lot at the time and didn't want to have to hang over the stern every time I wanted to see if water was flowing. Yes, there are a lot of much cheaper options out there, but mine was permanent and makes checking the exhaust a snap. BYW, a BIG culprit in poor water flow is the mixing elbow, especially the small "L" fitting where salt water enters the mixing elbow (assuming you have the same setup I do). You HAVE to clean it at least every other season, and probably replace it every 5-6 years. The "L" fitting is easy to clean, but the mixing elbow is a real bear to remove. Trust me on this one! However, the price for not doing so is eventual overheating from low water flow and, far worse, ingestion of salt water into the engine block if the blocking plate in the mixing elbow fails. Good luck! Tim (SV "TIDE")
Ernie: I have an 85 '31 which "had" the same problem, both with overheating and inability to see the exhaust as it exited under the stern counter. My solution (after a couple of years of frustration) was more extensive AND expensive, but worked for me. During a spring haulout, I removed the exhaust hose from the original (molded) underwater exhaust point and had the boatyard cut in a new exit on the starboard side about 2 feet above the waterline. They also glassed over the old hole under the stern counter. I installed a new fitting, and attached the old exhaust hose. Total cost (in 1990) was about $400...and I did a lot of the work). For me, it was worth it, especially since I was single-handing a lot at the time and didn't want to have to hang over the stern every time I wanted to see if water was flowing. Yes, there are a lot of much cheaper options out there, but mine was permanent and makes checking the exhaust a snap. BYW, a BIG culprit in poor water flow is the mixing elbow, especially the small "L" fitting where salt water enters the mixing elbow (assuming you have the same setup I do). You HAVE to clean it at least every other season, and probably replace it every 5-6 years. The "L" fitting is easy to clean, but the mixing elbow is a real bear to remove. Trust me on this one! However, the price for not doing so is eventual overheating from low water flow and, far worse, ingestion of salt water into the engine block if the blocking plate in the mixing elbow fails. Good luck! Tim (SV "TIDE")
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